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Find bus tickets from Chicago to Indianapolis

Chicago-Indianapolis Bus Schedule

Bus
$53.00
7:00 AM
Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St
11:55 AM
350 S Illinois St
MRT
4.1stars
0 transfers
Bus
$53.00
7:00 AM
Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St
3:35 PM
Intl Airport - Zone 1 Ground Transp Ctr
MRT
4.1stars
1 transfer
Find cheap rental carsFind great deals on cheap cars in the area.
RentalCars logotypeRentalCars logotype
from$30.00
Bus
$53.00
7:20 AM
Dan Ryan Bus Station
11:55 AM
350 S Illinois St
MRT
4.1stars
0 transfers
Bus
$53.00
7:20 AM
Dan Ryan Bus Station
3:35 PM
Intl Airport - Zone 1 Ground Transp Ctr
MRT
4.1stars
1 transfer
Bus
$33.00
9:45 AM
Union Station - 225 S Canal St
3:35 PM
350 S Illinois St
USATW
4.6stars
0 transfers
Lowest PricesWe work directly with hundreds of bus & train carriers to find the best available fares.
No Wanderu FeesWe never add any extra fees. We just make it easy to book your bus & train tickets.
Best Travel OptionsWe help you find & compare the best buses and trains in one place.

Journey Information

Chicago to Indianapolis bus - cost & duration

Cheapest price$22.00
Shortest Duration3h 15m
Trips per day23
Bus lines3

Buses from Chicago to Indianapolis

Chicago to Indianapolis Route Map

Chicago Indianapolis

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a train from Chicago to Indianapolis?

Yes, there is a train from Chicago to Indianapolis. The Amtrak Cardinal covers this route 1 time per day. Tickets average about $28, and the trip takes almost 5 hours.

What is the best way to get from Chicago to Indianapolis?

The best way to get from Chicago to Indianapolis is probably by bus. The bus is often both the cheapest and fastest travel option for this particular route, and also has the most schedules per day.

How do you get from Chicago O’Hare to Indianapolis?

To get from Chicago O’Hare to Indianapolis, you’ll take a 46 minute subway trip from the O’Hare station to the Clinton Blue Line Station. From there, you can travel two blocks north and catch a bus from Union Station, about three blocks south to take a Megabus, or about a block and a half southwest to the Greyhound station.

Is it safe to travel by bus from Chicago to Indianapolis during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Our bus partners have implemented several different policies to keep you safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. From limiting vehicle capacity to enhancing cleaning protocols and upgrading air filters, bus carriers are committed to maintaining a safe environment. For details on what each company is doing to ensure their fleet remains safe for travel, click here.

In addition, federal law requires all bus passengers to wear a face covering for the entire duration of the trip. Please make sure you are wearing a face mask or you may not be allowed to board the bus.

Please visit our COVID-19 Travel Guide for more information on all carrier policies and the latest travel advisories issued by every U.S. state, Canadian province, and European country.

How much is a bus ticket from Chicago to Indianapolis?

Based on daily average prices in last 30 days, $23.35 was the low point for bus fares from Chicago to Indianapolis. Buses from Indianapolis to Chicago are similarly priced. Any tickets cheaper than $23.35 could be considered a great deal.

The best way to find cheap deals on bus tickets is by booking as early as possible, since most bus companies increase the price as the travel date approaches. You should book at least 18 days in advance. By doing so, you could save $18.55 on your ticket compared to booking at the last minute.

How long is the bus ride?

The bus usually takes around 5 hours and 16 minutes to cover the 165 miles (265 kilometers) from Chicago, IL to Indianapolis, IN. However, the fastest bus only takes 3 hours and 15 minutes. The trip is definitely on the longer side, so plan to get comfortable on the bus. It's a good idea to bring water and snacks.

What is the busiest day of the week to travel by bus?

Sunday tends to be the busiest day for buses, as many passengers take the bus to Indianapolis at the end of the week. If you are planning to travel on a Sunday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.

On the other hand, Wednesday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you're looking for some extra space on the bus, traveling mid-week is your best bet.

When do the earliest and latest buses leave Chicago?

The first bus leaves at 7:00am and the last bus leaves at 10:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Chicago to Indianapolis, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

How many buses are there each day?

There are 23 scheduled buses that travel from Chicago to Indianapolis every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 13 direct buses, where you can stay on the same bus without having to transfer to a connecting bus at any point during your trip.

Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Chicago to Indianapolis; ticket prices start at $23.00.

What bus companies travel from Chicago to Indianapolis?

There are 3 bus lines from Chicago, Illinois to Indianapolis, Indiana. With 14 daily trips, Greyhound usually has the most buses running on any given day. Here are some time and price comparisons for all the available options:

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak Thruway24h 38m$23.87
Greyhound145h 25m$29.59
Miller Transportation75h 37m$47.04

Book Amtrak Thruway from Chicago to Indianapolis from $23. There are 2 trips per day offered by Amtrak Thruway from Chicago to Indianapolis and you can expect on average to pay $24 for a Amtrak Thruway ticket to Indianapolis. In Chicago, Amtrak Thruway departs to Indianapolis from Union Station - 225 S Canal St, In Indianapolis, Amtrak Thruway arrives at 350 S Illinois St, An average trip on Amtrak Thruway from Chicago to Indianapolis takes 4 hours and 38 minutes, while the fastest available Amtrak Thruway trip will get you to Indianapolis in 3 hours and 15 minutes, On weekends, Amtrak Thruway offers 2 trips per day. A one way ticket costs $24 for a weekend trip to Indianapolis.

Book Greyhound from Chicago to Indianapolis from $22. There are 14 trips per day offered by Greyhound from Chicago to Indianapolis and you can expect on average to pay $30 for a Greyhound ticket to Indianapolis. In Chicago, Greyhound departs to Indianapolis from Union Station - 225 S Canal St and 2 other stations. In Indianapolis, Greyhound arrives at 350 S Illinois St and one other station. An average trip on Greyhound from Chicago to Indianapolis takes 5 hours and 25 minutes, while the fastest available Greyhound trip will get you to Indianapolis in 3 hours and 15 minutes, On weekends, Greyhound offers 14 trips per day. A one way ticket costs $30 for a weekend trip to Indianapolis.

Book Miller Transportation from Chicago to Indianapolis from $40. There are 7 trips per day offered by Miller Transportation from Chicago to Indianapolis and you can expect on average to pay $47 for a Miller Transportation ticket to Indianapolis. In Chicago, Miller Transportation departs to Indianapolis from Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St and one other station. In Indianapolis, Miller Transportation arrives at Intl Airport - Zone 1 Ground Transp Ctr and one other station. An average trip on Miller Transportation from Chicago to Indianapolis takes 5 hours and 37 minutes, while the fastest available Miller Transportation trip will get you to Indianapolis in 3 hours and 15 minutes, On weekends, Miller Transportation offers 7 trips per day. A one way ticket costs $47 for a weekend trip to Indianapolis.

Where does the bus leave from in Chicago?

Buses to Indianapolis leave from multiple locations in Chicago, Illinois. These are the 3 most popular bus stations:

  • Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St
  • Dan Ryan Bus Station
  • Union Station - 225 S Canal St

Where does the bus arrive in Indianapolis?

These are the two stations where buses may stop when they arrive in Indianapolis, Indiana:

  • 350 S Illinois St
  • Intl Airport - Zone 1 Ground Transp Ctr

Price trends for buses from Chicago to Indianapolis

Average prices by travel date

$45$30$15FebMar

Monthly average prices

$50$40$30$20$10MAMJJASONDJF

Prices as travel date approaches

$50$40$30$20$103020100

Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Overall score for buses from Chicago, IL to Indianapolis, IN

(Based on 24 ratings and reviews)

4.6

4.0

Kelly

March 4, 2020 - Solo travel

Megabus

Pros: Quick Easy. Cons: Seats were not comfy, there was no plugs or WiFi on board. Tips: Being a neck pillow or something to get comfy with. Pros: Quick Easy. Cons: Seats were not comfy, there was no plugs or WiFi on board. Tips: Being a neck pillow or something to get comfy with.

5.0

Julian

February 15, 2020 - Visiting family

Megabus

Pros: Quick, easy process that got me where I needed to be. The double decker is beautiful with the windows and roof window and the seats spread out and what not. Nice bus. Cons: The seats could just be so much more conducive for sleeping. The cushioning is the absolut... Pros: Quick, easy process that got me where I needed to be. The double decker is beautiful with the windows and roof window and the seats spread out and what not. Nice bus. Cons: The seats could just be so much more conducive for sleeping. The cushioning is the absolute minimum (which I can understand because of the cost, but still). If the people are comfortable and sleeping, there’s also less chance for squabbling or incidents. It was a midnight 4 hour bus ride and I couldn’t sleep which threw my next few days (the reason for travelling in the first place) off. Tips: Just have your ticket ready.More

5.0

Jordan

December 28, 2019 - Vacation

Megabus

Pros: Driver was amazing; friendly and quick to help. Cons: Cleanliness of bus, outlets on bus. Pros: Driver was amazing; friendly and quick to help. Cons: Cleanliness of bus, outlets on bus.

5.0

Thyra

December 28, 2019 - Visiting family

OurBus

Pros: very nice driver! Tips: Earplugs for devices. Pros: very nice driver! Tips: Earplugs for devices.

5.0

Amy

November 24, 2019 - Solo travel

OurBus

Pros: Great ride home. The bus driver was super nice! Cons: None. Pros: Great ride home. The bus driver was super nice! Cons: None.

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